Letter from the Executive Director | |
2023 is here. Over recent years, since the pandemic started, we now find ourselves in a time where remote work, making friends over Zoom, and buying groceries online may be a new way of life for some of us.
Will this year bring more new ideas, new thinking or learning to the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) space? I am not sure. What I am sure of is that the subject of DEI will continue to be discussed and argued from different angles. What worries me more now, however; is that what started as a discussion on DEI issues may be slowly evolving to arguments of who is right and who is wrong. Instead of focusing on what can be done to get better, the discussions may be about whose case should be accepted and whose should not. Perhaps we need to continue to make progress on using tools more effectively to solve this dilemma.
In this newsletter, we share a snapshot view of some DEI tools and make specific reference to the Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Benchmarks (GDEIB) which has evolved since 2006. With its most recent update in 2021, the GDEIB tool has been referenced, used, cited and modified to address most DEI issues at a local and global level. We look forward to continuing our discussions on making better use of DEI tools, to help us move ahead and make this world a better place.
The Centre has as part of its strategy plans to digitize the GDEIB and offer certification.
I look forward to continuing to hear from you and sharing ideas on how we all can make better use of DEI tools.
Best,
Dr. Sudeep Mohandas
Executive Director
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Why use DEI tools at work? | |
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The origins of DEI has its roots in the 1960s as a civil rights movement, and has since grown to include gender, sexual orientation, religion, country of origin, and other identities. The Greenlining Institute outlines the evolving focus of DEI through the decades, from tolerance in the 1960s and 70s, multiculturalism from 1970s to the 90s, and a growing emphasis on representation of diverse groups since the 2010s.
This call for representation directly affects the workplace. An awareness of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the workplace continues to grow among companies and organizations. Moreover, technology continues to progress, as does the general attitude towards remote work and hybrid working arrangements. For leaders and managers, creating a healthy inclusive atmosphere and fostering collaboration in the work environment is no longer as straightforward as it used to be, and managers are on the lookout for resources that will help bring teams together from various backgrounds—geographically and more.
Aside from creating an inclusive and collaborative culture, research shows that intentionally incorporating DEI into an organization has its benefits. In 2020, McKinsey & Company released the results of a study that they had done on 1,000 companies from 15 countries. The study showed that DEI was a significant driver of business performance, with McKinsey also finding that gender diverse companies are 15% more likely to perform well, and ethnically diverse companies are 35% also more likely to do the same.
A study by Deloitte Australia mirrors those results, citing diversity and inclusion as key in improved business performance, such as increased innovation and team collaboration. “Inclusion is tangible,” is one of the key findings of the study, and organizations would benefit to intentionally focus on diversity and inclusion.
So where can organizations start?
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The Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Benchmarks (GDEIB) | |
If you’re looking for management tools with a focus on DEI, the Global Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Benchmarks (GDEIB) is an excellent place to start.
The Centre for Global Inclusion produced the GDEIB and released it as a free-to-use document or resource, with aim of providing “a means of measurement, a strategic planning tool, and a set of actions that may be taken at an organizational and individual level, to do good diversity work.”
The GDEIB was originally developed in 2006 by Julie O’ Mara and Alan Richter, along with 47 experts from around the world. It has continued to evolve as a DEI tool, and has been updated three times since its initial development. The GDEIB is free to download on The Centre for Global Inclusion website, and is also available in French, Portuguese, and Spanish.
For a quick overview, D&I Leaders offers a series of brief videos explaining what the GDEI is, how it is used, and how the GDEIB can be used for measurement.
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The Centre’s Webinar on February 13, 2023
by Board Member, Gamiel Yafai
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Gamiel Yafai is a multi-award winning DEI strategist and board director for The Centre for Global Inclusion. Gamiel is the co-author of ‘Demystifying Diversity’ and Yemen Proud. He will be sharing his insights from a 23 year career as a DEI strategist into how to: elevate and embed DEI, making it more manageable in the workplace; effective use of the Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Benchmarks (GDEIB) and explore why having a greater understanding of the role that you play in embedding DEI is a must have part of your growth and professional development. You will be expected to walk away from this session with a clearer path to creating a culture of inclusion. We will be using Mentimeter to share experiences and insights.
Whether you are: at the beginning of your DEI journey; a DEI practitioner, a DEI lead; in HR or just curious about DEI, you will be able to discover insights and tools to help your career journey and advancement of DE&I smoother.
To register for:
Session 1
FEB 13 8AM PT, 11AM ET,1PM (SANTIAGO), 4PM (LONDON,) 5PM (NETHERLANDS),
7PM (NAIROBI), 9PM (PAKISTAN),
Registration Link: http://bit.ly/3XhGSii
Session 2
FEB 13 1PM PT; 4PM ET; 6PM (SANTIAGO) 9PM (LONDON) - FEB 14 5AM (SINGAPORE),
6AM (SYDNEY), 10AM (NEW ZEALAND)
Registration Link: http://bit.ly/3WeCb7S
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What other tools are available? | |
Aside from the GDEIB, other tools exist for diversity management in the workplace, whether for data gathering, recruiting, or simply building an organizational awareness of DEI.
The World Economic Forum developed a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Toolkit that aims to help reduce bias in recruitment processes, diversifying talent pools, and benchmarking DEI across organizations. Technology plays a key role in the toolkit, as WEF “explores the practical opportunities and risks that rapidly emerging technologies represent for diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.”
Also integrating technology and DEI, the Diversity Dashboard was developed by Kair Heistad after more than two decades’ worth of experience in the diversity and cross-cultural fields. Launched in 2017, the Dashboard allows the creation and management of DEI strategies in the workplace, with the aim of “[simplifying] the work of designing and managing a DEI program by providing a platform that coaches you through [each step].” The Diversity Dashboard keeps the management on top of measuring and keeping records of critical diversity work in the workplace.
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Spectrum tool, created by the Meyer Memorial Trust, helps organizations gauge where they are in their DEI journey, and identifies areas for future work. The tool outlines twelve dimensions of DEI, from vision, data and policies to community, infrastructure and training.
Welcoming Workplaces is a hub of downloadable practical guides and templates that can help managers manage employees in a diverse workforce. The organization offers a toolkit of resources, which includes a Diversity Assessment Tool that provides an initial assessment of DEI within companies.
Similarly, Strategic Diversity Initiatives also offers a number of comprehensive Diversity Assessments, with an emphasis on helping companies be more proactive about assessing their current DEI status. Their assessments help provide insight into various aspects of the organization, from policies, procedures, and demographics, to supplier diversity, and even meeting and event spaces.
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Annual Conference Happening Soon in March | | |
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Combining Forces(x): Fueling Our Collective Capacity for Change
By combining forces, we can multiply our efforts and the probability of positive change.
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The Forum on Workplace Inclusion's annual conference is the nation's largest gathering of DEI professionals and those interested in DEI principles. Come join forces with us to advance the work of diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Conference webpage link: https://forumworkplaceinclusion.org/2023-conference/
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Diversity management refers to organizational actions that aim to promote greater inclusion of employees from different backgrounds into an organization’s structure.
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We are forever grateful for the support our sponsors have been giving us throughout the years. This year 2023, we are looking forward to your kind contribution as we embark on our Strategy for 2022-2025 and ensure we do make the difference to the DEI community. Feel free to check our website [https://centreforglobalinclusion.org/ways-to-help/how-to-contribute/] to understand and decide the various options you can personally or as an organization make to our work.
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Sincere thanks to our sponsors | |
To review past newsletters from The Centre for Global Inclusion, click HERE | |
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The Centre for Global Inclusion is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and home of the free Global Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Benchmarks: Standards for Organizations Around the World (GDEIB). Its mission is to serve as a resource for research and education for organizations and individuals in their quest to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion practices around the world. Go to www.centreforglobalinclusion.org.
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